Republicans rally around Romney over Bain critics

An array of Republicans and conservatives — including some of Mitt Romney’s sharpest critics — rushed to the GOP presidential front-runner’s defense Thursday to counter efforts to paint the former venture capitalist as a job-killer. Under fire, Romney rival Newt Gingrich backed off from directly attacking Romney’s tenure at the helm of Bain Capital, but Rick Perry defended his approach.

“We’re disappointed” with the line of criticism, said Thomas Donohue, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The business group doesn’t endorse in presidential campaigns, but Donohue said: “We think Romney has had a pretty good track record. Perfect? Hell no, but damn good.”

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who ran against Romney four years ago, wrote in an online letter: “It’s surprising to see so many Republicans embrace that left-wing argument against capitalism.”